Motion-picture machine



Jan. 4, 1927. 1 ,613,562

0 w. FROST MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed May 14, 1923 S Sheets-Sheet 2 a INVENTOR 8Y7 i a Jan 4 1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 14, 1923 .MMI

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Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES 0 WALLACE FROST, OF GREAT FALLS, MONTANA.

MOTION-PICTURE MACHINE.

Application filed May 14, 1923. Serial No. 638,989.

This invention has for its object to provide means for casting colors upon a curtain of a motion picture theatre so as to make the audience think that the house is equipped with a number of diiferent curtains andto add to the attractiveness of the theatre.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for casting upon the screen, an image of a curtain when the house is not provided with a curtain, so that the audience will think that a curtain has been drawn across the screen.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing the invention in use.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4; of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

The remaining figures are detail views.

In modern motion picture houses the screen is covered by a draw curtain when a picture is not being shown, said curtain being operated by electrical means from the projecting room and said curtain consisting of two parts which are drawn together when closed and which are separated to expose the screen. It is the object of my invention to provide means for projecting light rays upon the curtain which may be given different colors by means of colored screens, so as to produce the effect of using different curtains. For instance, the rays may be passed through a red screen so as to make the curtain look like a red one. After the next picture the curtain may be colored blue, so that the audience will think another curtain is being used.

In carrying out my invention I provide a casing 1, which is carried by a support 2, at-

lens.

of light through the casing.

tache'd to any suitable part of the lamp :housing 3 which carries the usual condensing This-casing has at its front the lens barrel 4: and at its rear the guideways 5 for the slide 6. A disc 7 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 8 which is adjustably secured to a part of the support 2. This disc is provided with a plurality of small screens 9 which are of different colors. These screens are so arranged that any one of them may be brought in front of the lens barrel 4 so that the rays of light from the barrel will pass through the screen and thus color the draw curtain A, which is in front of the screen B. The opening in the rear of the casing 1 is arranged so that the rays of light from the lamp in housing 3, will pass through the same. The passage of light through the casing 1 is controlled by a shutter or blade 10, which is carried by the sectional shaft 11, the sections of which are adjustably supported in the casing by means of the strips 12 bolted to the top and bottom of the casing, the bolts passing through the slots 13 in the casing. The lower section of the shaft is connected with an operating lever 14 so that the shutter can be manipulated by the operator to control the passage By arranging the shutter as shown, it will be seen, that the light will follow the two halves of the curtain as they are being moved toward each other or away from each other, and that when the curtain is closed no shadow will be made by the blade as it is formed of thin material and when the curtain is closed, the thin edge of the blade will be presented to the light. A plate 15 may be placed in the slide which has an opening therein shaped like a curtain, so as to confine the light rays on the curtain. If the house is not equipped with a curtain, a plate 15 containing a picture of a curtain may be placed in the slide so that an image of the curtain will be cast on the screen and thus give the same effect as if a curtain was used. The casing may be provided with a window 16 having a ruby glass therein so that the interior of the casing may be seen.

From the above it will be seen that the curtain can be given any color, according to the number of colored screens carried by the disc 9. The blade or shutter will cause the light rays to follow the curtain as it is being opened or closed, so that the audience can be made to believe that a plurality of ourtains, of different colors, are being used. When this device is used with toot-lights o't dilierent colors, a very beautiful effect is secured which adds to the attractiveness of the theatre.

It isthought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I ma make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the se i ral parts, provided that such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention in detail, What I desire to claim as new is:

A device of the character described including a casing having a longitudinal slot in the top and bottom Wall thereof, a sectional shaft extending through the slots, a shutter carried by the shaft within the casing, metal strips movable over the slots and attached to the shaft and an operating lever for said shaft as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I altix my signature.

C VALLACE FROST. 

